Sunshine Eagles Baseball Club has big goals for the 2019/20 VSBL season, and import catcher Bryce Aldridge is all for it.
The versatile American hails from Indiana and has quickly settled into his role at Sunshine as a vital part of the club’s Division 1 firsts team. The Eagles have emerged as a frontrunner in the VSBL competition, carrying an undefeated record through seven rounds. Despite dropping a one-run thriller to Geelong this past weekend, the Eagles show no signs of slowing down anytime soon after a convincing 7-2 midweek win over the Baycats.
For Bryce, being on top of the ladder for the time being is a good feeling, but he knows his team has to work hard to make it where they want to go. “I’m just excited to be here,” Bryce said. "I’m really looking forward to seeing more of the competition, having fun and playing hard ball.”
After making it to the semi-finals last year, Sunshine wants to do the same and Bryce hopes to be a part of it. He’s had some bright moments in his baseball career, including winning college conference championships in 2018 with Wabash College, and he has fond memories of that unbeatable winning feeling. “That’s something you don’t really forget, getting the ring and being able to dogpile on the field with the guys that you worked so hard with,” Bryce said. “It's a lot of fun to be able to do that.”
Bryce would love to share a winning season with Sunshine, but he and his teammates are taking it one game at a time, focusing on getting wins week in and week out. “I think if we are just putting the ball in play and playing good team ball, then we’ll be able to succeed pretty well in the field,” Bryce said.
A strong sense of comradery and family at Sunshine has made Bryce feel right at home as he aims to be a solid team player. “They’ve done a really good job taking me in, supporting me and getting me all settled in,” Bryce said. “I’ll do whatever I have to do to help the team win. I just want to get my swing hot pretty quickly and see if I can put up some good numbers for the team.”
No matter what the season has in store, Bryce is thrilled to be spending the summer down under and making memories with the Eagles. “Baseball has given me a lot of opportunities to travel and meet new people, teammates, friends, all that stuff like that,” Bryce said. “I’ve never been to Australia before and now I’ll spend six months down here working a little bit and playing baseball and I get to see the world. Baseball has helped me to travel all over the United States as well.”
Over the years, Bryce has learned to keep his head up through the ups and downs, something he encourages new baseball players to do too. “Don’t get frustrated if it seems really hard at first. Just get involved with it, find some good people that will help teach you and have fun - that’s what it’s all about.”
Not only is Bryce impressed by the level of competition in VSBL Division 1, but he’s confident he can make a difference for Sunshine this year. “I think I can bring a lot of passion to the team,” Bryce said. “If I feel like I know things that they’re struggling with and I can help them out, then I’ll always try my best to do that. I’m sure there are things they can help me out with as well. It’s a give and take learning process.”
Bryce and the Eagles host Geelong for the series decider on Sunday before opening a series against reigning premiers Blackburn.